EU ENPARD Grants – SP3: “Support package to improve rearing and food safety practices of freshwater fish farmers in Georgia” 

The applicant is expected to fill an application form on the online grant management platform available here: https://enpard-grant.smapply.io/prog/43_support_to_freshwater_fish_farmers_in_georgia_/

When connecting to the platform, the applicant will be asked to create an account with his/her email address and a password. Once logged in, he/she will be able to officially apply to the grant competition, He/she will have to describe the project, select the equipment for which a matching grant is requested, and attach all supporting documents.

Content of Application
A list of supporting documents is requested from applicants, depending on the legal status:

For companies/ SMEs:

• Copy of passport or national ID of the director/ chairperson
• Registration certificate from the “National Agency of Public Registry”
• Land ownership certificate or lease agreement for the property/land considered in the application
• Reference from the “Revenue Services” on non-existence of indebtedness/tax debts.
• Photos/Video materials of the farm

Please note that an application for a SME can only come from either the legal representative of the organization or from someone specifically authorized to apply on behalf of the organization through a signed Power of Attorney.

For cooperatives:

• Copy of passport or national ID of the cooperative’s representative
• Registration certificate from the “National Agency of Public registry”
• Land ownership certificate or lease agreement for the property/land considered in the application
• Photos/Video materials of the farm

Please note that an application for a cooperative can only come from either the legal representative of the organization or from someone specifically authorized to apply on behalf of the organization through a signed Power of Attorney.

For individual farmers:

• Copy of passport or national ID
• Land ownership certificate or lease agreement for the property/land considered in the application
• Registration as an individual entrepreneur (if not registered yet, the applicant will be asked to register to be able to sign the grant agreement).
• Photos/Video materials of the farm

1/ Eligibility and budget verification: Immediately after the application submission, FAO will review the budget comprised in the application form and the applicant’s eligibility. FAO will also perform a pre-screening of the supporting documentation attached on the platform to make sure all documents have been properly submitted.

Shall any clarification be needed, FAO will contact the applicant to confirm the application is in line with the program requirements.

Verification field visit and training: Following the eligibility check, FAO will invite eligible applicants to a training session in their municipality. FAO may perform a field visit to the farm to verify the information included in the application.

2/ Technical evaluation and application scoring
Each application will be rated based on the criteria outlined below.

• The application is complete, coherent and informative
• The proposed investment is adapted to the farm’s size and activities
• The applicant demonstrates relevant professional background
• The applicant has a good understanding of food safety risks associated with their business
• The applicant shows high potential to adopt improved food safety practices
• No conflict of interest or ethical doubts were identified
• The grant will have a direct impact on food safety.

3/ Selection of applications: Following a successful technical revision of the application, the Application Review Committee composed of the alternate budget holder, the FAO Project Coordinator, and a technical officer from FAO Georgia will take the granting decision. The committee may select, reject, request additional supporting documentation, propose modifications, or add conditions to the approval.

The award decisions of the selection committee will be documented in a minute signed by all three members. The details of the grant applications as well as the signed minutes will then be shared with the donor and the focal point at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture in Georgia for consultation. Both parties will be given a week delay to provide comments or raise concerns about the proposed projects. The questions or concerns raised shall be addressed by the project implementation unit in a timely manner.

If no concerns are raised, the signed minutes will then be shared with FAO project Budget Holder for final approval.

Payment method: If granted, the grantee will be contacted by FAO to prepare a grant agreement to be signed between the grantee and FAO. After signature, the grantee will be asked to pay his/her matching contribution to the selected supplier. The equipment will then be delivered to the farm by the supplier. A field visit may be organized to confirm the equipment delivery, and FAO will then pay the matching grant directly to the supplier.

Monitoring and evaluation: When receiving the grant, the grantee commits to keep and maintain the entire supported equipment (including spare parts) for at least five years following the agreement signature date. The applicant will also commit to an open-door policy and to facilitate visits to his/her premises upon FAO’s request. Finally, a yearly visit will be organized by FAO to ensure the proper usage of the equipment.